Youth shot dead in Baramulla, tension in town

Srinagar, March 5 (IANS) A youth was killed in firing by the security forces against protestors in north Kashmir's Baramulla Tuesday, sparking off a wave of violence in the town, police said.

According to police sources, Tahir Lateef Sofi, 29, was killed in firing by security forces at Chatipadshahi Bridge in Baramulla town when protestors, demanding the return of the body of parliament accused convict Afzal Guru, pelted stones at some army vehicles passing on the road.

After the firing incident, a huge mob carrying the body of the slain youth attacked the office of the Baramulla district magistrate.

Senior civil and police officers have rushed to the town.

Sources in the state administration said the Baramulla district magistrate has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the firing incident besides lodging of an FIR against the security personnel responsible for the youth's death.

Protests also erupted at over a dozen other places during the day in Srinagar, Badgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Bandipora districts where stone-pelting protestors clashed with the security forces.

Official sources in Jammu said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who even broke down while mentioning the incident in the assembly, has deputed Medical Education Minister Taj Mohiuddin, who represents Uri constituency in the district, to take stock of the situation in Baramulla.